A look at what's new at the 2013 Victoria Livestock Show

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To learn more about the 2013 Victoria Livestock Show, visit VictoriaLivestockShow.com.

Sew it, grow it and show it.

For organizers of the 2013 Victoria Livestock Show, the phrase is more than this year's theme. It's a way to get new Crossroads kids involved.

This year's show spans Thursday through Sunday and places an added emphasis on the county fair, said Shannon Windham, stock show advertisement chairwoman.

Not every child can afford to raise animals, she said, and those who live in town might simply be unable to do so. This way, she said, everyone can get involved.

"You don't have to have an animal," she said, explaining participants can enter baked goods, photography, artwork and more. "Everybody's important."

Longtime show organizer Dian Patterson said the exhibit hall will also offer food and drink samples this year for visitors to try as they peruse entries.

Other changes also enter the mix.

Saturday's parade followed a different route, snaking through Downtown Victoria, Windham said, while Patterson said a horticulture exhibit will replace the "Thank a Farmer" presentations.

Incoming updates are also on their way to the animal side with the addition of a new age group to the judging.

This year's show will include three categories - junior, ages 8 through 10; intermediate, ages 11 through 13; and senior, ages 14 through 18 - said Gary Loest, Victoria Livestock Show assistant general chairman.

Loest said the change is a way to even the playing field for participants.

"Why put a ninth-grade kid in with a fifth-grader?" he asked. "That's not real cool."

Windham said she looks forward to the days ahead and seeing all the preparation come together.

"It's a lot of work, but it will be a good show," she said. "I'm excited."